Where passion meets technology DFM

DFM is a market leading manufacturer of high quality upholstered furniture. The company is passionate about its products and continues to invest heavily in new technology and advanced production processes in order to better serve its key European markets. Philip Yorke reports.

DFM was founded in 2001 in Poland and has its headquarters in Dobre Miasto near Otsztyn. The company closely follows trends and market forces in its key European markets which include Scandinavia, the Benelux, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the United States. The business is privately owned by the chairman of the company, Roman Dariusz Kolakowski.

Production is carried out at the company’s three state-of-the-art facilities in Poland, the largest of which is located at Dobro Miasto with a productive area of more than 60,000 square metres. Other manufacturing plants are located at Olsztyn and Reszel, both of which extend to over 6,000 square metres. The strategic position and individual capabilities of these plants make it possible for DFM to optimise its production processes and to optimise the differentiation of skills available at each plant.

The company’s product portfolio includes a broad range of styles to meet the demands of its diverse customer base to produce furniture for modern living rooms with practical upholstered sofas, chairs and comfortable lounge furniture.

optimising production

In keeping with its strong and consistent growth the company has undergone many significant organisational changes. With today’s lean production processes and the optimisation of its production processes the company has managed to stay one step ahead of its competitors. In addition, it has focused on investing in the latest technology including special state-of-the-art cutters for its textiles and leather raw materials.

The company has also invested in an extensive, purpose-built wood working plant in order to maintain the highest possible production efficiency and control the quality of its products.

DFM’s hard work and dedication has been rewarded many times with trade awards for innovation, quality and unrivalled customer service. For four years in a row DFM has also been recognised by ‘The Forbes Diamond’ rankings as first in its category of companies with a turnover of between €50 – 250 million.

Focus on sustainability

DFM constantly invests in the latest technologies in order to achieve greater sustainability in both its products and manufacturing processes. The key focus is to save energy and to protect the natural environment. Its rational use of raw materials and processes to reduce the amount of waste has been a major success. In its biggest facility the company has invested in its own boiler room which not only heats the buildings but reduces the post-production residues to almost zero.

DFM also takes great care when obtaining its raw materials which are sourced only from proven and reliable suppliers that meet the highest standards and which are backed-up by the appropriate certificates. This ensures continuity of quality and meets the highest ecological standards. All of DFM’s departments are aware of the impact of the company’s operations in relation to the environment.

In the daily work cycle the DFM teams minimise the use of paper for printing as well as reusing packaging, reducing the use

of energy and segregating waste. Furthermore DFM creates a workplace where special attention to comfort, safety and occupational health is paramount.

Integrated communications

DFM believes that good communications is the key to the effective functioning of the company and utilises a dedicated and fully integrated IT system. This means that the entire production processes can be controlled from a single central command centre.

Such a solution makes communication between individual departments instantly clear and comprehensible, which in turn results in greater efficiency and allows scope for further sustained growth. DFM is committed to a programme of continuous improvement across all its many disciplines.

People power

DFM places a particularly high priority on the well-being of its workforce and values their dedication and commitment. These are people who understand consumer needs and work hard to meet the changing demands of the industry.

The company’s philosophy is that if the workforce is happy then its customers will also be happy. DFM also prides itself on the passion and care with which it devotes to every stage of its production processes in order to create furniture of the highest standard and durability. This approach results in the company using materials only of the highest quality that are sourced exclusively from reputable suppliers.

For further details of DFM’s latest products and services visit: www.dfm.pl